Mopoii

As I said, I'm participating in this challenge, so here is my progress. For now, I've made the DAV and Pathfinder + Sojourner. I tried to make the DAV look at much like the MAV seen in the film, so I copied shape, characteristics, stages, ascent etc. It can actually fit 7 kerbals, and has plenty of extra deltaV. The capsule is made of an Mk3 Command pod, 3 Mk1 Inline Cockpits (which allow for little windows) and an Mk1 Lander Can. It also has a shielded docking port and RCS to connect to the Hermes spacecraft. Here is the gallery showing it's capability to land at Duna autonomously and take the capsule to LDO : https://imgur.com/gallery/DmvAOwE For Pathfinder and Sojourner, I actually flew the mission completely. Again, I tried to make them ressemble their real-life counterparts the most possible, while keeping the part count reasonable. The type of engines used, their thrust, the shape of the craft, the mission profile and many other things were replicated as best I could. Thanks to Breaking Ground's robotics, I was able to recreate the folding mechanism of the lander. Here is the full mission gallery : https://imgur.com/gallery/6ujyBzU I hope you have as much fun doing the challenge as I am at the moment. Please tell me if you're participating, that way I can know and we can make the challenge more visible, creating more activity, so more fun ! Again, if you have any suggestions about things to modify or add to the challenge, I would be glad to hear. Don't hesitate about regularly posting about your progress, I'm keen on seeing how you're all doing. Good luck ! PS : As I move along with the challenge, I might change a few things about it, if ever I see it can be made more fun and more open.

The Martian challenge Many of you will have seen The Martian (or even read the book!), and you will know it’s got a great storyline which is relatively realistic. That is why I thought it very interesting to recreate it in KSP. Therefore, the point of this challenge is to recreate the Ares III mission displayed in The Martian. You will have to design the vehicles present in the story, and then attempt to save Mark Watney. There are 2 parts to this challenge : the Design part, where you have to create similar vehicles as those in The Martian and IRL, or recreate them in the game. The second part is the Mission part, where you recreate the Ares III mission for start to end, and even do a little bit of historic preparation. In the story, there are such things as the “Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV)”, but here, we’ll be calling them “Duna Ascent Vehicle (DAV)”. This applies to other things. Electric charge will be referred to as "EC". As the challenge is quite big, the number of requirements per vehicle is relatively low, but feel free to get closer to the actual thing, I’ve included links to Wiki pages and more just for that ! The challenge is open to Stock and both DLCs. If you wish to use Restock+, that’s fine with me. Other mods will be accepted, as long as they are balanced, but put in a different category. Btw, no ISRU is to be used apart for the DAV. Tweakscale is allowed for SRBs and fuel tanks. Feel free to use Hyperedit to test your spacecraft and to give updates without having to plan a whole mission. Challenge vehicles (100 design points) : Duna surface (36 points) : - Duna Ascent Vehicle (DAV) : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/Mars_Ascent_Vehicle (10 points) Is comprised of 3 stages : the 1st with landing legs and descent engines ; the 2nd with ascent engines ; and the 3rd with vacuum-optimised engines (+4) Can transport a crew of 6 from the surface of Duna to LDO (+4) Can ISRU autonomously (but has to land with 1/13 of total fuel capacity) (+2) - Duna Descent Vehicle (DDV) : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/Mars_Descent_Vehicle (4 points) Can safely transport a crew of 6 down to the surface of Duna from LDO (+2) Can undock from Hermes and initiate descent by its own (+2) - Surface Exploration Vehicle (SEV) : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/Rover_1 (6 points) Rover can fit in a crew of 2 (+2) Works on electricity only (+2) Charges using solar panels (+2) - Pathfinder Lander : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Pathfinder (6 points) Can generate EC through RTG (+2) Can be docked to the SEV to produce EC using the RTG (+2) Can produce EC through solar panels (+2) - Sojourner Rover : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_(rover) (4 points) Can rove around for a bit (+2) Is powered by a solar panel (+2) - Duna Lander Habitat (Hab) : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/The_Hab (6 points) Can fit in a crew of 6 (+4) Can store and produce electric charge using solar panels (+2) Comprises 3 airlocks (stock or DLC) (+2) Spacecraft (30 points) : - Hermes : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/Hermes_Spacecraft (16 points) Can travel to Duna from LKO (and back) using ion propulsion only (+4) Can store and produce EC (+2) Has a rotating artificial gravity ring (+4) Can communicate directly from Duna back to Kerbin and the other way round (+2) Has at least one airlock (DLC or Lander Can) (+2) Can dock with Kerbin-rated capsules and DAV (+2) - EMU : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/EMU (4 points) Is just big enough so a single Kerbal can fit in (+2) Comprises RCS to manoeuvre single Kerbals in orbit (+2) - Supply Module : https://www.space.com/30739-the-martian-spaceships-explained-infographic.html (4 points) Can dock autonomously to the flying-by Hermes from LKO (+2) Fits in a standard Atlas V 500 series fairing (+2) - Orion Capsule : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(spacecraft) (6 points) Can fit 7 Kerbals (+4) Can dock to the Hermes on its own (+2) Rockets (34 points) : - Atlas V 500 series : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_V (6 points) Comprises 2 strap-on SRBs (+2) Comprises 2 liquid-fuel stages (Atlas CCB ; Centaur) (+2) Can launch the Supply Module to LKO (+2) -Delta II : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_II#Vehicle_description (8 points) Comprises 9 strap-on SRBs (+2) Comprises 3 stages (Delta XLT ; Delta K ; PAM-D) (+2) Can launch Pathfinder and Sojourner together to Duna (+4) - Chinese rocket (6 points) Create or replicate a Chinese-like rocket (e.g. Long March 3C) that can launch the Supply Module to the Hermes while it is on the return trajectory (+4) Comprises 2 strap-on boosters (LF or SRB) (+2) -Ares V : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares_V (8 points) Is comprised of 2 liquid fuel stages (+2) Has 2 SRBs (+2) Can carry large payloads to Duna [60-70 tonnes] (+4) - Ares I : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares_I (6 points) Is comprised of an SRB first stage and a liquid fuel second stage (+4) Can carry the Orion capsule to LKO (+2) Bonus design points : Duna surface : DAV : 3 landing legs 3 landing engines ; 6 ascent engines ; 4 vacuum engines Enters atmosphere with heat protection SEV : 4 wheels Detachable trailer Pathfinder : 3 unfolding solar panels Enters atmosphere with heat protection (heat shield & shell) Sojourner : 6 wheels Fits inside folded Pathfinder Spacecraft : Supply module : 3 inline engines Orion : 2 drogue chutes & 3 main chutes Service module (1 main engine, 8 auxiliaries, 4 solar panels, radiators, all-direction RCS) Working and effective LAS (abort motor, jettison motor, attitude control, protective shell) Rockets : Atlas V : Ressembles 500 series Second stage is encased in fairing Delta II : SRB 3rd stage Only 6 SRBs ignited at liftoff, 3 remaining ignited after separation Ares V : 5 or 6 LF engines on first stage, 1 or 2 LF engines on upper stage Fairing does not extend out No apparent control devices Ares I : Upper stage extends out relative to first stage No apparent control devices Challenge mission guide (100 mission points): Pre-mission launches (40 points) : - Launch Pathfinder and Sojourner on a Delta II and land them on Duna (+6) - Launch the Hab on an Ares V and land it on Duna (70 km away from Pathfinder) (+6) - Launch the first DAV (for Ares III mission) on an Ares V and land it right next to the Hab (+10) - Launch the second DAV (for Ares IV mission) on an Ares V and land it on Duna (about 300 km away from the Hab) (+4) - Launch the 2 SEVs near the Hab/DAV (can be remotely driven to the Hab/DAV if necessary) (+4) - Launch unmanned Hermes into LKO (one or multiple launches) (+10) Crewed nominal Ares III mission (14 points) : - Launch the crew of 6 with the Orion capsule to the Hermes spacecraft in LKO (+2) - Take the Hermes to Low Duna Orbit (LDO) (+6) - Take the crew to the surface of Duna using the DDV and land it next to the Hab/DAV (+6) Crewed anomaly mission (46 points): - Launch the first DAV with 5 of the crew to LDO, leaving one behind on Duna (+4) - With the remaining member of crew, drive to Pathfinder in the SEV (+6) - Drive back with Pathfinder on the SEV, connected to produce EC (+4) - Drive all the way to the second DAV in the “upgraded” SEV (+10) - Get the Hermes on a return trajectory to Kerbin, but change it midway to encounter Duna again by doing a Rich Purnell manoeuvre : https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/the-martian/images/9/9d/The_Martian_Route_2.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20161214181517 (+10) - Launch the Supply Module and dock it to the Hermes (+4) - Launch the last crew member in the second DAV to LDO (+2) - Get out of the capsule and compensate the speed difference between the astronaut and the Hermes , then board the Hermes (+4) - Get back to Kerbin and land in an Orion capsule (+2) Any further resemblances with the film’s or book’s craft design and mission shall be rewarded with extra points. The use of life support mods and system rescaling will be rewarded. Those who complete the challenge with the requirement indicated above shall be rewarded with honours and the completion badge. Resources : A bit of info about the vehicles : https://www.space.com/30739-the-martian-spaceships-explained-infographic.html Some cool blueprints (great for DAV) : http://www.shirahockman.com/2337338-the-martian#3 About Pathfinder : https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1996-068A Various angles of the DAV : http://fantastic-plastic.com/mars-ascent-vehicle-mav-from-the-martian---catalog.html The Martian Wiki : https://the-martian.fandom.com/wiki/The_Martian_Wikia Inspiration for the Chinese rocket : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_(rocket_family) Mission info for Pathfinder and Sojourner : https://mars.nasa.gov/MPF/mpf/launch_profile.html and https://mars.nasa.gov/MPF/mpf/mpfcruise.html The trajectory of Hermes with the Rich Purnell manoeuvre (see 0:55) : http://www.galactanet.com/martian/hermes.mp4 The challenge's badges are derived from the Ares Program emblem found on The Martian Wiki. If you have any ideas about things to add to the challenge or change about it, please tell me. I shall be creating badges for the challenge, for different levels of completion. I will attempt the challenge myself. Feel free to share the progress in the design process and mission. Have fun with the challenge and good luck ! Leaderboard : Design : 1 - @Mopoii (24 points) 2 - @jinnantonix (18 points) 3 - Mission : 1 - 2 - 3 -

Well, I tried getting the ATLAST telescope to Sun-synchronous orbit, but the deltaV requirement is just too big, even using ion thrusters and a terrible TWR. I got it to Kerbin-synchronous orbit at least, so here's the gallery : https://imgur.com/gallery/BrJdqrO

Oh yeah I hadn't thought of that. I'll look into it tomorrow

Well I'm basically claiming all points for the "Design" section, so all 70. Probably not worth reposting all the points for every specification. Here are the galleries I linked higher up, just for rechecking if you want : Orion (block 1 & 2), Ares I and Ares IV : https://imgur.com/gallery/bQJ7kI1 Ares V, Altair, Lunar outpost, Mars direct and Duna outpost : https://imgur.com/a/TdNpdUk

Right thanks guys

Hello, would you mind clarifying what you mean by "assembling" the telescope for STS-3 please ? I'm looking into the mission but I'm not sure what you mean

I was just wondering : do I have to complete the "missions" part to get the design points, or is it separate ? And can I grab the badge or must I complete the whole challenge ?

Hi, I've now designed and tested the remaining vehicles, which are Altair, the Munar outpost, Mars Direct, the Duna outpost and the rovers. Here is the gallery for the testing of these vehicles : http://imgur.com/a/TdNpdUk They were all designed to meet the challenge requirements, and the testing was aimed at demonstrating their ability to perform according to their desired capabilities for missions later on. I'll just give a bit of context to the screenshots : The Altair is launched on top of an unmodified Ares V (only the fairing is widened so nothing sticks out) and arrives in orbit with the EDS with a lot of fuel remaining. After docking with the Orion Block 2, the EDS can put them into a Munar trajectory, and the orbit insertion burn is performed by the Altair (which I forgot to screenshot). They then decouple, the Altair lands and the rovers attached to the top and side of the spacecraft are deployed using RCS. Second stage of Altair ascends to LMO, and docks with Orion for crew transfer. Burn back to Kerbin, decouple, enter atmosphere, land, tadaa ! I then sent the Munar outpost (yes, after the crew left, because it was easier to perform one mission at a time, and that the point here was just to demonstrate its capability). It is also launched on top of an unmodified Ares V, reaches LKO with EDS full, burns to the Mun and the EDS helps with a lot of the slowing down during descent (even though the Outpost can land on its own, I did it this way just to have a lot of spare deltaV to "hop" to the rest of the base. Now for Duna. The Mars Direct is also launched on top of an unmodified Ares V (I launched it with the crew but it is possible to have it dock with Orion by installing a docking port on the bottom part of the pressurised rover). Classic launch to Duna. Nothing original either with the descent, and rovers are the same as the ones sent to the Mun, and are deployed in the same way. Classic getting back to Kerbin, decoupling, reentering atmosphere, and landing. Same as for the Mun, the outpost is sent separately from an Ares V. Only difference is the presence of parachutes to save deltaV.

Ok thanks for all the info

Did you use a lighting mod for those screenshots ? The way the rocket parts are illuminated looks different

So, I've designed all the required vehicles for the challenge, but for now I've only tested Orion, and Ares I & V, so here is a gallery presenting them and demonstrating their capabilities according to the design requirements : https://imgur.com/gallery/bQJ7kI1 All the explanations and pictures are in there. I believe the vehicles follow all the design rules, but tell me if I did something wrong or something is missing. I'll now be testing Altair and Mars Direct, so they'll be coming soon. Anyway the challenge is great fun, glad you created it

I've just got a few questions : - Do I have to demonstrate the ability of the spacecraft to reach certain destinations (eg. show that I can get Altair to the Mun, Orion to LKO etc.) ? - About getting the EDS to LKO without using any of its fuel, does that mean that I should get the second stage of my Ares V to LKO using only the first stage and SRBs ? or is it about getting another stage 2 on top of the stage 2 to LKO ?

Ok thanks for the info @Death Engineering

Hello, Just wondering if this post still alive or if there is a more recent one ? Found it very interesting so decided to make some spacecraft corresponding to the requirement, and it's a load of fun ! Anyway please let me know

What are the ranking criteria?

Yes, I do have Restock+ parts on that shuttle : the main tank nosecone and probably those 2 SRBs.

So, if I summarise, the challenge is about building a craft that has to be able to take off and land by it's own, without decouplers, while trying to reach maximum speed at an altitude where jet engines work (so <15km). Tell me if I'm wrong But are you allowed to use rocket engines or is it jet only ? That would make a big difference. And do you include Rapiers ? If so, both modes or only air breathing ?

Thank you for complementing I actually got the idea of jet engines from a Google image of the Buran shuttle which said it could've used jet engines. Thought the idea was cool so I decided to implement it. Sadly I don't have access to my computer atm, but the only parts mod I used is Restock+ (which is where the main tank nosecone, booster nosecones and maybe even the boosters themselves come from ; basically slightly expanded Stock). The rest of my mods are visual and utility, such as KER, EVE, Scatterer, Restock etc.

It's a visual mod called Restock which improves old textures of stock parts, really great mod btw

Hello, Here's my entry for the challenge https://imgur.com/x0htuGf It's about half-way between tier 1 and tier 2 as I decided to launch the Cubesats with the Lander. Full gallery showing mission stages : https://imgur.com/a/LeZNAxk Thanks making these challenges by the way

Hi people, This is my entry for the challenge (just launching to orbit and coming back) https://imgur.com/syeO8xL Full gallery for proof : https://imgur.com/gallery/Gm6N8p4 Was quite fun actually

Hi everyone, Here's my entry (command pod category) : Mission screenshots : https://imgur.com/gallery/I1ciw4C Managed to get it done with just over 10.4 tons